An area in particular that needs
immediate attention is our national database. Many of our
members have changedaddress,
telephone number, e-mail etc., since first joining the NRFA,
in fact many membership application forms were incomplete from
the outset. It is important that we improve/update the level
of communication with our membership so that we can provide
advise, benefits, information as well as be up to date with
the needs of the membership. We would greatly appreciate if
our existing members can assist us by returning a fully
completed form, with particular emphasis on a valid contact
e-mail
address.

Irish Fire Services

Benevolent Fund

As a NRFA member you will also have the
opportunity to become part of the National Fire
Services Benevolent Fund

The NRFA are
pleased to announce the release of our very
first Official Calendar for 2017

We have have teamed with Journalist,
Broadcaster & Photographer Mr. Pat Flynn to
present a calendar that potraits the life &
roles of the Retained Firefighter on scene.
All proceeds from the Calendar sales will go
towards our very own ‘Irish Fire Service
Benevolent Fund’, helping Retained
Firefighters and/or their spouse at a time of
loss.

Calendar is now available to purchase and is
priced at €10 including postage to anywhere
in the Republic of Ireland or Northern
Ireland.

Limited Stock will be available, so get your
order in early. Purchase for your Station.

Calendar can be purchased online below:

Or
By Post:
Cheque/Postal Order made payable to:- National
Retained Firefighters Association, along with
your name & address to:

Whether you are a Firefighter, Chief Fire Officer,
Union Official, Politician or a Civil Servant you
cannot be blind to the ever-increasing number of
deaths that are related to the inadequacies in
operating procedures of the Fire and Ambulance
Services, which have been in the News Headlines so
many times in recent Years. I have in the past called
for a National Fire and Ambulance Service and as time
has progressed and nothing has been done to progress
this the Public have been left to ponder why no one is
prioritising the need for an adequate Emergency
service with the focus on a speedy response to the
large ever increasing number of Emergency type
Incidents which will only multiply as the economy
recovers and I am once again calling on all with
influence to work to provide a Service that will
reduce the number of deaths that are attributed to
Emergency Causes, I call for the immediate
introduction of a policy that will see Ambulances
operating from Fire Stations and all Fire Personnel
trained (currently most Fire Personnel are trained
medical first responders but are not utilised to
assist the public) to adequately respond to all Fire
and Medical Emergencies as this will be the only cost
effective way to fix the current problems associated
with Emergency Incident Response.

Sean Martin, Chairman
NRFA - chairman@nrfa.ie

Emergency Service Driving Standard (ESDS)

You
may have heard by now some mention of the Emergency
Service Driving Standard (ESDS). There are many
different ways that this is now being put forward to
existing D/M’s and Firefighters within the Fire
Service by Fire Service Management Nationwide. Take
note that this course is Voluntary and Retained
Firefighters should be very wary of consenting to go
forward for this test until all the facts have been
properly established by the NRFA.......

Firefighters....
Have You Received Your Award?

Firefighters may
not be fully aware with regard to the recognition
awards for their years of service as outlined below,
which has been sanctioned by the Minister for the
Environment, Community and Local Government. Delivery
of these awards varies on a County-to-County basis. We
would recommend that Firefighters enquire to their
respective CFO’s if either you or your colleagues have
may have been overlooked in this regard. It seems very
few Counties have yet delivered the Award sanctioned
for 10 Years service..

......

What is the
NRFA?

Treat
NRFA membership like an insurance policy for your job,
become a member if you want an organisation to look after
your interests and keep you informed pay €20 a year, but do
not contact the NRFA if you get in trouble when you have not
paid your membership fee, you cannot get benefits from an
insurance company if you have not paid your premium the NRFA
is the same, the NRFA is not part of SIPTU or IFESA but we
talk to both on your behalf and if the need arises we will
talk sternly and in the future if either do no look after
your interests we will publicise
the matter.

I
urge all Firefighters who are not Members of the N.R.F.A. to
join without delay together we can make the difference that
will get us the respect and rewards we deserve. Download an
application form today and return it without delay.

Hodson Bay Hotel is
located just 5km from Athlone Town Centre on the N61
Roscommon Road.

Sat Nav Coordinates:
Lat: 53.468528,

Lon: -7.988867

UNION NEWS

Check on
the latest develepments from Firefighters Unions

Click on the Union
Logos to find out the latest news

18/May/2015 - IFESA Page Updated

22/Feb/2016 - SIPTU Page Updated

BA Refresher
Training

A meeting took place between the NDFEM and SIPTU National
Negiotiating Committee in March 2014, Read Complete
Document in Members Section

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING MEDICALS

Have you recently
failed your medical on fitness grounds?

If yes, then you should
contact your local NRFA or Union Rep, as you cannot be put off
call for failing your fitness test. This is happening around
the country and the NRFA Committee need to know if it has
happened to you or one of your colleagues.

As a serving Firefighter,
have you been given a Recruit
Medical?

If so, please contact
the NRFA Committee ASAP.

Medical
Documents in Members Section

Have you claimed your yearly Retained Firefighters
Tax Allowance?

As a Retained
Firefighter you are entitled to claim your Annual Tax
Allowance, Its called FRE11
Ring your local tax
office to claim this